A fence surrounds Sleeping Beauty Castle during the first day of a $300,000, extensive castle refurbishment at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Monday, Jan 7, 2019. the work will continue through the spring. The refurbishment will not change the castle significantly.. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The work includes a $300,000 reroof of the 70-foot-tall castle that will replace the fiber-reinforced plastic on the turrets. Gray construction walls and green mesh fencing surround the front of the castle, obscuring the moat and drawbridge from view. An ornate gate with black iron hardware flanked by torch-like sconces greets visitors at the Anaheim theme park’s central hub.

A fence surrounds Sleeping Beauty Castle during the first day of a $300,000, extensive castle refurbishment at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Monday, Jan 7, 2019. the work will continue through the spring. The refurbishment will not change the castle significantly.. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A fence surrounds Sleeping Beauty Castle during the first day of a $300,000, extensive castle refurbishment at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Monday, Jan 7, 2019. the work will continue through the spring. The refurbishment will not change the castle significantly.. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A fence surrounds Sleeping Beauty Castle during the first day of a $300,000, extensive castle refurbishment at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Monday, Jan 7, 2019. the work will continue through the spring. The refurbishment will not change the castle significantly.. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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A fence blocks the back entrance to Sleeping Beauty Castle during the first day of a $300,000, extensive castle refurbishment at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Monday, Jan 7, 2019. the work will continue through the spring. The refurbishment will not change the castle significantly.. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A fence surrounds Sleeping Beauty Castle during the first day of a $300,000, extensive castle refurbishment at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Monday, Jan 7, 2019. the work will continue through the spring. The refurbishment will not change the castle significantly.. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A fence surrounds Sleeping Beauty Castle during the first day of a $300,000, extensive castle refurbishment at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Monday, Jan 7, 2019. the work will continue through the spring. The refurbishment will not change the castle significantly.. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Blue fences block the center and east archways at the rear of the castle. A decorative scrim will cover scaffolding once it is erected around portions of the castle.

The months-long construction project will certainly spoil any photos visitors hoped to take in front of the castle. Social media criticism has been swift and harsh.

“Disneyland put up a huge barricade around Sleeping Beauty Castle for refurb and honestly if they aren’t done by my trip I’m gonna lose it,” wrote Twitter user @Jordan_Marie15 of Florida, who posted a photo of the gate obscuring the castle. “Like seriously look at this, it’s freaking terrible.”

Signs in front of the castle direct visitors to access Fantasyland via the Big Thunder trail or the parade route along Matterhorn mountain. Visitors can still access Snow White Grotto and the wishing well during the renovation.

The castle will retain its color scheme of cool gray walls, warm pink towers and bright blue roofs. The neo-romantic architecture was inspired by Bavarian Neuschwanstein and French Chateau de Chenonceau castles, according to Disney.

“Sleeping Beauty Castle is the heart of Disneyland Park and is simply being refreshed,” said Walt Disney Imagineering art director Kim Irvine via email. “It will remain the same beloved icon it is today when the refurbishment is complete.”

The work will force the closure of the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough attraction starting Jan. 17.

Brady MacDonald is a freelance writer based in California. He’s covered the theme park industry for more than 25 years. He writes about travel, entertainment, business, food and beer. His work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, New York Newsday, Philadelphia Inquirer, Seattle Times, Orlando Sentinel and Orange County Register.